Basketball Hall of Fame announces 12 finalists

Among the nominees not chosen as finalists this year were former Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller and Don Nelson, the NBA’s winningest coach.

“Although I’m disappointed not to be included on this year’s HOF ballot, I sincerely wish the best of luck to this year’s class of finalists, all of whom I admire and respect greatly,” Miller said in a statement.

Miller, who works as a broadcaster for TNT, was a first-time nominee, and no first-timers were named finalists.

“Reggie just didn’t get enough traction this time. He’s a first-time candidate, that speaks nothing about the future,” Colangelo said. “Next year could be a whole different story for Reggie Miller. He’s certainly a candidate going forward.”

Nelson was a previous contender. The final year of his contract with Golden State was bought out after last season.

“Nellie just couldn’t get over the hump,” Colangelo said. “I think it was just a collective ‘didn’t get the traction’ in terms of the group he was considered with.”

Colangelo said the hall is working on lining up a sponsor to include fan participation in the voting.

He is pushing for a more transparent selection process, short of revealing the names of committee members who vote on potential inductees. Colangelo selects those members, whom he says include four media members; two Hall of Famers; two coaches; and a current NBA general manager.

“We’re trying to protect those individuals from not being politicked,” he said. “We want the system to remain pure. It is. I can say that because I select the people who are on the committees and I overview the committee work, and I know it’s pure. But we’re going to let people know how that really works.”